Comparison of Surgical Site Infections between Laparoscopic and Open Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background:
This study assessed the causes of infection in cholecystectomy and compared the infection rates between the open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study, performed on all patients admitted to Shariati Hospital since February 2017 for cholecystectomy. Initially, the patients were evaluated for infection risk factors, and then surgical site infection rates in these individuals were measured. Infection was assessed at the time of patients discharge (in the first few days after surgery) and again a month later, either in clinic or by phone. Information from 81 patients was collected, and SPSS software version 24 was used to analyse the data using appropriate statistical tests. Statistical significance was defined as p value < 0.05.

Results:
The mean age of the participants was 45.89 ± 13.38. The relationship between surgical site infections (SSI) and age, sex, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, malignancy, chronic lung disease, and chronic kidney disease), taking corticosteroids, smoking, and the emergency or elective nature of the surgery was not significant. The mean age of the patients who underwent open cholecystectomy was higher than the laparoscopic group (p = 0.005). Similarly, the average hospitalization period for those underwent open cholecystectomy was higher (p = 0.03). Finally, the infection rates for open cholecystectomy were 6 times higher than laparoscopic surgeries (RR: 6.11).

Conclusion:
There was no significant relationship between SSIs and the risk factors assessed in this study. However, infection rates were higher in the open cholecystectomy group. More studies on the various risk factors of infection and the differences between the laparoscopic and open surgical methods are required.